This one? The output stage?
Yeah I think so.
Although the HE is different I think. Have no idea how much of the headphone amp is used in the pre-amp section of the HE, if at all.
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I went through the thread using the keyword “preamp”. There was a lot of interesting discussion, but not much direct comparison between the Atom and the Atom HE. Before I bought the pre-owned NAP 250.2, I was not sure in which direction I should go to gain the expected improvement in the system. My Atom dealer recently had a special offer on the Rotel Michi X3 for €3,999. I originally went there to demo the Michi X3 and it was quite impressive in combination with the B&W 705 S3. At home, however, the Atom remains the lovely little gadget, and the kids enjoy walking up to the screen to see what music is playing. They happened to have an Atom HE on demo and connected it to the latest NAP 250 (7K€ version). The performance was impressive and somehow similar to the Michi X3 in terms of sound and control. So I decided to find a proper power amp for my Atom.
Of course my memory could be deceiving as I did not A/B test the Atom and the Atom-HE, and the new NAP-250 is not the NAP-250.2. But my overall impression of both systems is quite similar. My NAP-250.2 is not the regular one either. The previous owner had it serviced and the transformer replaced with a NAP-300DR transformer because of a persistent hum problem. Not quite sure what this has to do with SQ, but I was told to consider it a 250.2 plus, and indeed it is quiet. Even the Atom has a noticeable hum to me.
I guess a head-to-head comparison might be the only solution…
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Just out of curiosity. I thought the similar preamp stage only applied to the headphone preamp. The NSC222 has similar performance when a headphone is connected. Does the Atom HE have two independent preamps for headphone and non-headphone?
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I did not expect the addition of a proper power amp to have such a profound effect. My 10-year-old was listening to his usual repertoire and suddenly told me he had noticed another instrument hidden in the back. On another track, he said, I could tell that the bass was playing at the back and the singer was singing at the front. They sound so different.
Unfortunately, a home demo would not be possible, and they have no regular Atom at the demo now.
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For all I know and auditioned at dealers and at home, I think you are on the right path with the Atom HE and although one should always be extremely careful saying this, in my experience this is one of those occasions where one doesn’t even need an audition. The Atom HE with a good power amp is a completely different ballgame (and not just due to the power amp). And tbh unless you want the NPX300 upgradability and the phono stage, IMHO it’s also essentially as good as the bare NSC222 and some say … it actually may be even looks cooler (oops!:).
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I have no idea. I speculated. With the 222 I know for sure cause of what Steve Sells said but not about the HE.
Yeah it is a large jump. I mean you have a fully isolated amplifier then that is Naim Classic level performance.
Upgraded my speakers recently to be more in line with the HE / 250 DR combo and what comes out of this is really really good. It will easily outperform the Nova, to give you an idea.
Interesting! Did you compare?
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Yes, I have both at home.
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Wow ok that is about as good a type of comparison as anyone can hope for LOL
Have been wondering what kind of a jump there would be. So this is some good info and supports my gut feel that I am at the sweet spot system for the space I live in.
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I went down the path you are on, moving from Atom with B&W bookshelf speakers to Atom with B&W 702 S3 speakers, then adding a power amp (Moon 330A), and finally getting an Atom HE. I still have the Atom connected to the small B&Ws as a secondary system. The Atom HE is connected to the amp using XLR connectors while the preamp out is connected to a B&W subwoofer with the crossover set quite low (about 30hz). The system is in a room about 5m x 4.5m. The full system sounds very good indeed. Comparing the Atom plus amp vs the Atom HE plus amp, I could not say for sure that there is any major difference, but I wanted the Atom HE as I need the better headphone amp for my headphones, and I wanted to leave the preamp out available for the subwoofer. I think my original Atom may be a good sample as it sounds very good, and has never exhibited any hum itself or produced any hiss on the speakers.
The main difference between the preamp on the HE and the new 222 is that the 222 has a true analog input (i.e. it does not go through the internal DAC as it does on the Unitis) and it has a MC input for those of a vinyl persuasion. Neither of those considerations is of any use to me, so the HE at exactly one third of the price of the 222 (where I live) was an easy choice.
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Just to correct: the 222 has an MM imput, not MC.
I remember the old threads on Atom HE. 2 guys found the preamp section of the 272 better vs the preamp section of the HE.
So logically the 222 as pre should be better than the HE , because most found the 222 superior to the 272, still used as pre only.
Who is right, who is wrong?
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I read it as a little more nuanced than that.
My memory retained only the gross information. You may be right. And it’s more difficult to me to use nuances . Easier in french.
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That’s perfect French 
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Well I meant what was said here 
Did not read it as HE is better than 222 but rather that HE + good power amp is strong contender for its price.
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Yeah, saw that one.
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I should probably clarify a bit - as “essentially” implies, they are not exactly equal, the 222 is better … but that is really in a careful and dedicated A-B comparison. I had 2 home auditions before I finally bought the 222 and that was not just for the sound quality but my overall setup (and of course Steve Sells and his wonderful helpful contribution here to blame!). When connected through the SN3/SCDR i.e. with a second preamp, they were next to identical and I would challenge anyone to make the difference in a blind test. Directly to a power amp the 222 was better in A-B but they are close, having a very similar character and both just so hugely enjoyable.
… and by the way I would be surprised if I liked the 272 more than the Atom HE (a while since I listened to the 272 so memory is fading) but it seems I do like the Atom HE presentation and may be what people call the “new sound”?
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The problem is that there’s so many different views and also quite opposite , so it’s quite impossible to rely on them.
A guy recently wrote that Nd555/552/300 is not that much better vs 222/ 300/250.3.
Other found Ndx2/ XPs dr / SN3/ hicap a bit better vs 222/250.
One guy preferred 272/555 dr and found it more musical vs 222/300.
Another one thinks that 222/300/250.3 outperforms his past CDS3/ XPS dr/ 252/300.
Then there are the hyperboles for the new 250, leaving the 300 dr in the dust.
Only one thing seems to be shared by all: the new 250 is really better vs the 250 dr.
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Great summary there Sweetie. Difficult to see the wood through the trees with all the hyperbole.
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